Phil Parkinson resigns as Bolton manager
Written by News on 22/08/2019
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson and his assistant Steve Parkin have resigned from the Sky Bet League One club.
Bolton have been in administration since May and Tuesday’s match against Doncaster was postponed due to welfare concerns for younger players.
The club were deducted 12 points at the start of the season and fielded just three senior outfield players in Parkinson’s final game in charge against Tranmere on Saturday – a 5-0 defeat.
A statement from Bolton on Thursday read: “It is with great reluctance that Bolton Wanderers Football Club has accepted the resignations of Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Steve Parkin from their positions at the University of Bolton Stadium.
“During what has been one of the most challenging periods in the club’s existence, both Phil and Steve conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and dignity throughout.
“Everybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club would like to thank Phil and Steve for their dedication and loyalty and we wish them the very best for the future.
“They leave the University of Bolton Stadium with their heads held high.”
Parkinson was the 15th longest-serving manager in the EFL, having joined the club from Bradford City in the summer of 2016.
He took charge of 156 matches during his time at Wanderers, leading the club to promotion from League One in his first season despite spending the entire campaign under a transfer embargo.
The 51-year-old then helped keep Bolton in the Championship having not made a single signing but his third full season was arguably the most difficult.
Problems with staff and player wages, as well as strikes and Ken Anderson’s ownership, led to entering administration in May, by which time the club had been relegated back to the third division.
Parkinson agreed to stay on and assist the administrators over the summer but again encountered problems. As the sale of the club was delayed further, he was forced to field the youngest-ever Bolton line-up for the 0-0 draw against Coventry on August 10.
Bolton academy manager Jimmy Phillips will take charge of first team training on an interim basis.
(c) Sky Sports 2019: Phil Parkinson resigns as Bolton manager
